Popping your Laundry Cherry: Mom won't be able to do your laundry forever, so for those of you who are first-timers, here's how to do it sans "shrinkage" and "bleeding".

Before going to the laundry room:

• Laundry at TCNJ as of last year has been free of charge, so don't worry about quarters :o)

• Empty all dirty laundry pockets

• Zip all zippers

• Turn patterned clothing inside out (it protects the pattern)

• When in doubt, read the labels. Inside every garment is a care instruction label, usually on the inside back collar or on an inside seam. Follow the instructions there. (If it says, "DRY CLEAN ONLY," they're not kidding.)

• Put pre-wash spray on: food stains, spots, grease, ballpoint pen stains, collars and cuffs. Ideally put it on the clothing as soon as possible after getting the stain, not waiting a week till your load is full. The longer it settles into the fabric, the harder/impossible it will become to get the stain out.

When you get there:

• Seperate into WHITES/LIGHTS and DARKS

• Select the water temperature on the washing machine. Do not use the HOT setting unless you want your clothes to bleed, fade or shrink. Everything will last longer and get just as clean in warm or even cold water. Always put colors in cold water; it's always a safe bet.

• Don't use too much detergent or overload the machines - they won't work as well and they may break. (Hint - if you haven't done laundry for 3 weeks, it won't all fit in one machine.) Check the detergent box or bottle for the recommended quantity - they come with a measuring scoop inside or on the cap of the bottle. Usually ½ cup is plenty.

• Only use bleach on 100% WHITE cotton articles. Be careful - liquid bleach can ruin your clothing.

• Check the temperature setting on the dryer. Don't use the hottest setting unless you're doing something like jeans/hoodies/comforters which will never dry otherwise.

• Fabric softener sheets make you smell good.

• Leave a laundry basket with your name on it on top of the machine you're currently using. That way if you can't get there to get it out on time, the person who needs to use the machine can put your clothes somewhere guilt-free.

• Set timers to try and get back in time. The wash usually goes for 40 mins. and the dryer for 50 mins.

Laundry Room etiquette:

• If you happen to be the unfortunate soul who discovers a machine is broken (doesn't spin while drying, no water in the washer, just plain doesn't work), leave a note on the dryer for others. Then report it to your C.A. so they can get maintenance on it, or call maintenance yourself.

• If someone's wash has just finished and they haven't reclaimed it, try to resist the urge to put their wet laundry on top of the machine. Come back in 15 and if it's still there, then it's their problem.

• It tends to be kosher to take out done dryer clothes, and you score extra laundry room brownie points if you fold their laundry for them.

• Clean out your lint filter after drying.

• Don't litter the place with fabric softener sheets; students are responsible for keeping the laundry rooms clean.

• DON'T STEAL CLOTHES.

Products the Daily Jolt recommends:

• Shout Stain Remover

• Shout Wipes (to keep in your backpack for when that pasta slips off your fork)

• Shout Color Catchers (an extra step against bleeding when washing new color clothes)

(we're not endorsing Shout by any means, they just have great stuff)

If you have any stain removal tips or think we should add something, by all means, bring it on.